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Single Idea 15115

[filed under theme 14. Science / A. Basis of Science / 2. Demonstration ]

Full Idea

In a proper demonstrative argument, the middle term must be explanatory of the conclusion, in a very specific sense: the middle term must state what properly belongs to the definition of the kind of phenomenon in question.

Clarification

The 'middle term' is the transitional term in a syllogism

Gist of Idea

In a demonstration the middle term explains, by being part of the definition

Source

Kathrin Koslicki (Essence, Necessity and Explanation [2012], 13.3.1)

Book Ref

'Contemporary Aristotelian Metaphysics', ed/tr. Tahko,Tuomas [CUP 2012], p.199

A Reaction

So 'All men are mortal, S is a man, so S is mortal'. The middle term is 'man', which gives a generic explanation for why S is mortal. Explanation as categorisation? I don't think this is the whole story of Aristotelian explanation.

The 27 ideas with the same theme [proving physical facts by observation and reason]:

16647 Demonstration starts from a definition of essence, so we can derive (or conjecture about) the properties [Aristotle]
24048 Demonstrations move from starting-points to deduced conclusions [Aristotle]
12309 There cannot be a science of accidentals, but only of general truths [Aristotle]
11386 Demonstrations about particulars must be about everything of that type [Aristotle]
24068 Demonstration is more than entailment, as the explanatory order must match the causal order [Aristotle, by Koslicki]
17310 Aristotle gets asymmetric consequence from demonstration, which reflects real causal priority [Aristotle, by Koslicki]
21359 Aristotle doesn't actually apply his theory of demonstration to his practical science [Leroi on Aristotle]
12365 We can know by demonstration, which is a scientific deduction leading to understanding [Aristotle]
1667 Premises must be true, primitive and immediate, and prior to and explanatory of conclusions [Aristotle]
12371 A demonstration is a deduction which proceeds from necessities [Aristotle]
10918 Demonstrative understanding rests on necessary features of the thing in itself [Aristotle]
12374 Demonstrations must be necessary, and that depends on the middle term [Aristotle]
1674 All demonstration is concerned with existence, axioms and properties [Aristotle]
12148 Demonstrations are syllogisms which give explanations [Aristotle]
1679 Universal demonstrations are about thought; particular demonstrations lead to perceptions [Aristotle]
1680 Demonstration is better with fewer presuppositions, and it is quicker if these are familiar [Aristotle]
12147 The principles of demonstrations are definitions [Aristotle]
12383 There must be definitions before demonstration is possible [Aristotle]
1691 Aim to get definitions of the primitive components, thus establishing the kind, and work towards the attributes [Aristotle]
20779 Demonstration derives what is less clear from what is clear [Stoic school, by Diog. Laertius]
16577 Induction is not demonstration, because not all of the instances can be observed [Buridan]
19243 If each inference slightly reduced our certainty, science would soon be in trouble [Peirce]
16799 Inductive inference is not proof, but weighing evidence and probability [Lipton]
16798 We infer from evidence by working out what would explain that evidence [Lipton]
22110 Demonstration provides depth of understanding and explanation (rather than foundations) [Kretzmann/Stump]
15111 In demonstration, the explanatory order must mirror the causal order of the phenomena [Koslicki]
15115 In a demonstration the middle term explains, by being part of the definition [Koslicki]